Judge Refuses to Limit Mississippi Shooting
Claims

September 17, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A Mississippi
federal judge has given the green light for relatives of six
slain Lockeed Martin employees to move forward with their
damage claims beyond those available from state worker's
compensation laws.

>The order by US District Judge Tom Lee in Jackson,
means survivors of the factory workers shot to death by
Doug Williams in July 2003 at Lockheed’s Meridian,
Mississippi plant may seek millions of dollars for alleged
damages rather than having to agree to much smaller state
law awards, the Jackson (Mississippi) Clarion Ledge
reported.

>Lee ruled Williams’ violence was not directed at the
victims because of their employment. “The shootings …
could have been committed at anyplace, not just the
workplace,” Lee wrote.

>Relatives representing the estates of slain workers
have sued Lockheed Martin, saying the Fort Worth-based
company knew of Williams’ violent tendencies and dislike of
black people. Plaintiffs say the company created a hostile
and unsafe workplace for black workers by not restraining
Williams. Five of the six killed were black while Williams
was white.

>Lawyer William Blair said he was pleased about the
ruling on behalf of his client, Thomas Willis, who was
killed in the shooting. Willis, through his estate, is
seeking $5 million in compensatory damages plus unspecified
punitive damages.

>Lockheed Martin had asked Lee to throw out the case,
claiming Willis’ death was covered exclusively under
worker’s compensation benefits, which bars other civil
claims. In 2003, the Mississippi worker’s compensation
lifetime disability maximum was $148,977. Under worker’s
compensation, employees forgo the possibility of large
awards in exchange for a smaller, but guaranteed
payment.